Bonita Springs residents push for stricter e-bike regulations

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (WINK)—The city is taking its first step toward regulating e-bikes as their popularity grows across the area.

Councilmembers and city staff spent hours reviewing what the rules could look like during a meeting. City leaders say they're starting to see more e-bikes downtown and across Bonita Springs. For some people, this is their way of getting around.

For many people who spoke, the concern isn't just the existence of e-bikes—it's the speed and behavior of some riders.

Rachel, who lives in Bonita Springs, is worried about the area around Bonita Beach Road and Imperial. She told the council she wants to see more traffic control measures.

"They're pretty much lumping in everything except for the road together, and that's what I have a problem with," Rachel said.

Under the current draft, e-bikes and scooters would still be allowed on sidewalks, bike lanes and roads. However, riders would have to stay under 15 miles per hour in shared spaces.

20-year resident Ben Blank weighed in on the proposed speed limit.

"I thought that the details on the speed, it should be lower," Blank said. "Eight-mile requirement for these bikes. I think that's a great place to begin."

The ordinance would also require riders to yield to pedestrians and give an audible warning—like ringing a bell—before passing someone. City leaders acknowledged many people rely on e-bikes to get to work.

As Bonita Springs expands, they're trying to design spaces that work for both riders and pedestrians. People who spoke said they hope council takes into consideration not just safety, but how people actually use the sidewalks and road.

"It seems to me that common sense would be if they could have like a workshop, you know, and you bring in people, people who use e-bikes and so forth, and begin to get their input a little bit," Blank said.

Nothing was approved. This was the city's first chance to publicly go through the language of the ordinance, hear from people and talk about what changes may still need to happen before any final vote.

The next hearing is in June.